Guide for Living in the UK
Finding a school
The UK education system is composed of three main stages:
Primary education from ages 3-11 and within that you have nursery school aged 3-5 and primary school aged 5-11.
Secondary education from ages 11-18 and you have secondary school from ages 11-16 and then sixth form or college ages 16-18.
Tertiary education which is University +18.
To enrol into a nursery, primary school or secondary school you first need to contact your local council to find a school your child can attend.
Some schools have certain criteria’s and they may give priority to children:
who live close to the school
who have a brother or sister at the school already
from a particular religion (for faith schools)
who pass an entrance exam (for selective schools, e.g. grammar schools)
who went to a particular primary school (a ‘feeder school’)
who are eligible for the pupil premium or the service pupil premium
whose parent has worked at the school for 2 years or more
Children must stay in school from 5 years old until 18 years old (there are some exceptions)
You can apply to several different schools, and you will need to order them in regard to your preference
Join a trade union
What is a trade union?
An organized association of workers in a trade, group of trades, or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests.
Why should I join a trade union?
Stopping bullying and discrimination Unions aim to cease bullying by making managers enforce rules to make the working environment safer
Legal help as unions provide legal advice on employment issues they will also represent and support you if you are a victim of discrimination or abuse
Unionised workplaces also have smaller pay gaps meaning women are more likely to get paid the same as men for doing the same or similar work
Better paternity and maternity leave pay
Higher pay
More job security you are less likely to lose your job if you become ill or pregnant etc.
You can join many different unions but here are two we recommend:
Join UNISON and get essential cover
The world's largest nursing union and professional body
Registering with a GP and dentist.
When you come to England it is important to get registered with a GP and a dentist.
Healthcare in England is free however dental care isn’t after the age of 18.
How to register for healthcare:
-You need to register with a GP (general practitioner)
-You don’t need any proof of address or immigration status, ID nor NHS number. So don’t let any of these stop you if you don’t have them.
-You need to find a GP near you. You can use this link.
-You can then register online, email or call them to ask to register.
GP’s may reject due to:
- They are not taking any new patients
- You live outside the practice boundary, and they are not accepting patients from out of their area
- You have been removed from that GP surgery register before
- It’s a long way from your home and you need extra care e.g. home visits.
Dentist
There is no need to register with a dentist but you should research which dentist you would like to go to.
On your first appointment, you will most likely be made to fill out a form so the dental practice can add you to their database.
Renting
You can use these top websites to find housing:
- https://www.rightmove.co.uk/
- https://www.spareroom.co.uk/
- https://www.facebook.com/coventryspareroom/ (or find a similar Facebook group for the
specific city want to live in)
1. Consider the deposit required
For most properties, the maximum deposit is 5 weeks’ rent. The deposit must be refundable at the end of the tenancy, usually subject to the rent being paid and the property being left in good condition, and it must be ‘protected’ during the tenancy. Make sure to keep your rented house to good standards, abiding by the contract.
2. Think about how much you can afford
35% of your take-home pay is the most that a lot of people can afford, but this depends on what your other outgoings are (for example, whether you have children or not). Compare different properties to find the best value property.
3. Consider if you would like an unfurnished or furnished property.
Furnished may be preferable for when you first come to England. A standard furnished property will include a bed, kitchen appliances such as a stove, fridge, washing machine, curtains, utensils and glassware.
4. Check the tenancy agreement whether it is short term or long term and choose according to your needs
5. Know your eviction rights. Read this article to keep you safe and protected:
Private renting for tenants - evictions: Rules your landlord must follow.
6. Utility bills check who is responsible you or the landlord.
7. Consider different types of fees
Such as viewing fees, tenancy set up fees, check out fees or third party fees.
Sponsorship license revocation and which sponsor to go with
What to do if your sponsor’s license is revoked?
A sponsor license can be revoked for failure to comply with the conditions and rules attached to having a sponsorship license. This may mean the employed worker’s visa may be curtailed.
From the date of revocation, workers will be able to either switch to a different employer, apply for a new visa under a different route, or leave the UK. Tulia can advise and help you with which option is best for you.
How to know which sponsor to go with?
Look into their reputation. You can join forums and groups with people in a similar position to you. If an offer seems too good to be true it most likely is. If a sponsor is charging extortionate prices to cover their cost (about £5000 upwards) beware of them and ask around for reviews on this sponsor. Make sure your sponsor actually has a sponsorship license and isn’t trying to scam you. This can be checked here.
